We need to wave the flag for model engineering...

Welcome to the February EIM which thanks to the vagaries of magazine production schedules sees me writing this editorial just after New Year’s Day, and with the Charman family still to have its Christmas! I explain at the start of Club News but you will hardly need to guess it’s Covid related, as yet again we are plunged into uncertainty by the emergence of yet another variant.

Mind you I also write in Club News that there seems to be a whole lot more optimism around this year, with clubs busily planning programmes and events, so let’s hope we will be bringing the diary page back soon. And let’s hope too that we will be going to shows! When one works from home, as the editor does, the trips out provided by events are particularly valued, and there have been precious few in recent times. I need to get out, see some superb models, meet up with you readers and persuade you to write something for the magazine...

On this page last month I talked about New Year resolutions but I want to add one this month, and it stems from a couple of further points in Club News (they are busy pages this time!). The editor of the Guildford club newsletter bemoans the low standing of engineers amongst the UK’S politicians, while High Wycombe club members are amazed at millions of social media views totted up by a video of a steam-powered baler built by a member.

All of which shows there is the interest in engineering, once people learn about it, and I think we as model engineers have the ability, perhaps the duty, to promote our vocation at every opportunity. The more of those that know about model engineering, the more likely it is that we gain at least a few converts, and as more people become interested in engineering, perhaps the ill-informed politicians may even start to take notice. Pie in the sky? Maybe, but worth the effort surely...

It’s another varied selection in our pages this month and we’ve given some significant space to tech ed Harry’s description of the epic efforts he’s had to make to bring a 6-inch scale diesel back into service. It’s a fascinating story and not just because the revived engine has some bits made by Yours Truly on it... We must admit to being surprised by the amount of positive reactions we’ve had to ‘Harry’s Game’ – it’s possibly now the most popular regular feature in the magazine – but don’t tell Harry that... Enjoy your EIM.

The March issue of Engineering in Miniature publishes on 17th February